[ This was a good idea, he decides, watching Richard from the corner of his eye, observing the changes those first few moments of real freedom seem to immediately bring out in the boy. The deep breath, the way his face tips up to meet the sun; and, when he turns to speak to Damian, the quiet cheer now visible in his expression--
--well, if Damian finds himself smiling slightly back, lips quirking grudgingly at the corners, it's not like the Talon will call him out on the slip-up.
(He commits it to memory. An image to preserve in his sketchbook later.) ]
True. I wasn't all that happy about him at first, but he's been a loyal companion from the start. The others --
[ He tilts his head. He won't ever admit to being lonely, but Titus has made sure he has never been alone. Not like he used to be. He can't see Colin or Brown every day (once a week, maybe, if their schedules match up), and the rest of the family here is out of the house most of the time, or they leave him alone.
Most of that is his fault, he knows. He'd made it clear when he first arrived that he wanted nothing to do with any of them, and rejected their offers of company and friendship; he doesn't blame them now for not including him, even if his feelings on the matter had shifted. ]
--they're older. Busier. We don't spend much time together. But I have Titus.
[ The dog's ears perk up at the sound of his name, and he comes rocketing back over, stopping just in the nick of time in front of his boy, oversized paws stepping in a jumble on Damian's boots and tail wagging furiously. Damian stares at him, lips pursed, but acquiesces to the silent plea after a beat, crouching down to briskly rub his hands up and down the dog's ruff and scratching behind his ears. ]
Menace that he is.
[ Wet dog. Wet, smelly, snow-covered dog. He wipes his hands on his coat after, straightening out to crunch his way across the snow. Richard needs to stretch his legs, and Damian sets a good pace for a walk. ]
Pets are a strange concept. Unheard of, in the League.
[ He looks back at Grayson, curious. ]
In the circus -- did you have a pet?
[ The question is offhanded, but not accidental. A gentle prod at the assassin's memories from before. ]
no subject
--well, if Damian finds himself smiling slightly back, lips quirking grudgingly at the corners, it's not like the Talon will call him out on the slip-up.
(He commits it to memory. An image to preserve in his sketchbook later.) ]
True. I wasn't all that happy about him at first, but he's been a loyal companion from the start. The others --
[ He tilts his head. He won't ever admit to being lonely, but Titus has made sure he has never been alone. Not like he used to be. He can't see Colin or Brown every day (once a week, maybe, if their schedules match up), and the rest of the family here is out of the house most of the time, or they leave him alone.
Most of that is his fault, he knows. He'd made it clear when he first arrived that he wanted nothing to do with any of them, and rejected their offers of company and friendship; he doesn't blame them now for not including him, even if his feelings on the matter had shifted. ]
--they're older. Busier. We don't spend much time together. But I have Titus.
[ The dog's ears perk up at the sound of his name, and he comes rocketing back over, stopping just in the nick of time in front of his boy, oversized paws stepping in a jumble on Damian's boots and tail wagging furiously. Damian stares at him, lips pursed, but acquiesces to the silent plea after a beat, crouching down to briskly rub his hands up and down the dog's ruff and scratching behind his ears. ]
Menace that he is.
[ Wet dog. Wet, smelly, snow-covered dog. He wipes his hands on his coat after, straightening out to crunch his way across the snow. Richard needs to stretch his legs, and Damian sets a good pace for a walk. ]
Pets are a strange concept. Unheard of, in the League.
[ He looks back at Grayson, curious. ]
In the circus -- did you have a pet?
[ The question is offhanded, but not accidental. A gentle prod at the assassin's memories from before. ]